MDHearing Review 2024

Millions of Americans experience hearing loss. But in March 2023, the National Institute on Deafness and Other Communication Disorders (NIDCD) estimated that about 1 in 4 people who could benefit from hearing aids actually use them. While a variety of factors account for this gap, the high cost of hearing aids keeps many people from getting the help they need. In fact, our February 2022 survey of more than 600 hearing aid customers found that cost was the biggest obstacle to accessing hearing care.

Our reviews team was attracted to several MDHearing features, like affordability and the range of models. But MDHearing devices also have some drawbacks you’ll want to consider.

In this review of MDHearing, we’ll explain why this brand made our list of the best hearing aids for 2024.

Underlying research:

• 2,500 hours of research
• 13 experts consulted
• 30 brands considered
• 96 models considered
• 600-plus user survey

Our experts have spent more than 2,500 hours conducting thorough research on hearing aids. Throughout this process, we did the following:

• Deeply researched the hearing device category
• Consulted with audiologists and hearing device experts
• Mystery shopped 30 brands
• Surveyed more than 600 hearing aid users
• Read and reviewed recent, relevant studies

To help you find the best hearing aid for your needs, we researched dozens of hearing aid brands. From traditional hearing aids sold through an audiologist’s office to direct-to-consumer brands, our reviews team took a close look at what each company has to offer. Most importantly, MDHearing, which was previously only FDA registered, has passed the FDA clearing process for self-fitting hearing aids.

MDHearing is our top pick for budget-conscious customers looking for a high-quality product. Starting at $499 for a single hearing aid (left or right ear) and $999.98 for a pair, MDHearing hearing aids are some of the most affordable hearing aids on the market. MDHearing also offers frequent sales with substantial discounts on its hearing aids. One of the reasons this company can sell at a lower price is because it sells directly to consumers, eliminating the need for distributors.

Our reviews team also likes the convenience MDHearing offers. You can complete the entire process of taking a hearing screening, comparing models, and buying hearing aids from the privacy of your home. With customer support available online, competitive pricing, and a wide range of features to suit most needs, MDHearing is a brand worth considering for people with mild to moderately severe hearing loss.

Pros

• Cleared by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA)
• Value-priced hearing aids start at $499 per device, with financing rates as low as zero percent through the company’s lending partner
• No-questions-asked returns during the 45-day trial period
• Audiologist-supervised online sales process, with recommendations based on online hearing test results
• Comprehensive customer support and access to a licensed hearing instrument specialist for fittings
• All hearing aid models are rechargeable

Cons

• Limited basic warranty, although a more comprehensive MDShield Protection Plan is available starting at $3.99 per month (depending on the model)
• Customer support by phone only available Monday to Friday, 7 a.m. to 6 p.m. CT

The MDHearing NEO is the newest, smallest, and only in-the-ear (ITC) hearing aid the company offers. With a full charge time of three to four hours, one charge lasts about 17 hours before needing to be recharged. With nine volume settings, you can make adjustments manually using the button on the outside of the device.

Its discreet size not only makes the NEO less visible but the in-the-canal placement protects it against water exposure better than a behind-the-ear (BTE) style can.

Even so, you should never wear these hearing aids while swimming, bathing, or showering, and you should still take them out and dry them thoroughly after getting them wet from rain or sweat. ITE style aids may not be suitable for all ears, so MDHearing allows returns or exchanges for other styles within the 45-day trial at no additional cost.

The AIR uses digital signal processing (DSP), which converts sound waves into digital signals. Research shows that the advanced algorithms used by DSP technology gives digital hearing aids the ability to provide more complex sound processing than analog hearing aids are able to.

Many hearing aid users prioritize advanced sound capabilities when choosing a hearing aid. In our survey results, digital noise reduction ranked as the most important feature people look for in a hearing aid.

While the AIR lacks a directional microphone, it comes with telecoil, or T-coil. This is a small copper coil that acts as an antenna from within the hearing aids. The telecoil makes it possible to connect to hearing loops, which are built into the audio systems of concert halls and places of worship so you can hear unobstructed sound coming from the stage.

The AIR rechargeable batteries last around 12 to 16 hours, and you can recharge them in about five hours using the portable charging case. The case itself takes about four hours to fully charge and can recharge your hearing aids up to three times before it needs to be recharged again.

With its thin and clear tubing, the VOLT is nearly invisible when it’s in use. Volt hearing aids are as slim as a no. 2 pencil and weigh about one ounce each. These devices are equipped with intelligent noise reduction and dual directional microphones, which reduces unwanted background noise and amplifies the sounds you do want to hear, like conversations or music.

The VOLT has the longest battery life of all the MDHearing models at 20-plus hours after a two-hour charge time. It comes preprogrammed with four different options to choose from:

• Adaptive
• Quiet
• Social
• Restaurant

Select the Program button on the hearing aid to manually switch through the different options.

Since the VOLT MAX has more features and advanced technology, it uses more power than the VOLT. Rather than the 20-plus hours of battery per charge with the VOLT, the VOLT MAX has a battery life of a little more than half the day (15 hours or less). It takes about 90 minutes to fully charge the hearing aids and about two hours to fully charge the portable charging case, which provides up to three full charges for the hearing aids before it needs to be charged again.

Like the VOLT, the VOLT MAX has four basic listening programs you can manually set using the button on the hearing aid. The difference is that the VOLT MAX also has Bluetooth capability, which allows you to connect to the MDHearing app to make sound adjustments and create a personalized sound profile. Another technological difference between the VOLT and VOLT MAX is the latter’s adaptive sound technology. It’s able to sense the environment you're in and automatically adjust the microphones for optimal speech understanding.

Unfortunately, the Bluetooth connectivity built into the VOLT MAX is limited to the app only. It cannot stream music, TV, or phone calls.

MDHearing hearing aids are priced between $499.99 and $999.99 per single device, but the cost per pair is between $297 and $699.98. These lower prices per pair are listed as “special offer” prices (as of October 2023). Some discounts are seasonal.

For example, the MDHearing site has previously advertised buy one, get one free sales on the AIR and VOLT models. When a reviews team member used the MDHearing chat to ask a question, the representative asked us to call if we were interested in purchasing a device because they “can sometimes get you discounts if you place the order by phone” with them.

MDHearing offers financing options at $24.75 per month, with financing rates at zero percent for those who qualify. Lastly, with its 45-day money-back guarantee, you can get a full refund if you are dissatisfied with your MDHearing product’s performance or fit.

Like many other non-prescription hearing aid brands, MDHearing has an online hearing test, which our reviews team selected as the “Best with Audiogram” on our Best Online Hearing Tests page. A member of our reviews team completed the hearing test in about 3.5 minutes and then received the results soon after. Miranda (the name we used to take the test anonymously) received her results with detailed infographics and an audiogram of her hearing points plotted and explained.

The MDHearing smartphone app, which you can download from the Apple Store or Google Play, is currently only compatible with VOLT MAX devices since they are the only hearing aids with Bluetooth technology. To use the app you’ll need to create an MDHearing account, log in, and connect your VOLT MAX hearing aids to the account. Next, you can set your programming, customize your hearing preferences, and increase or decrease volume. Look at the user manual for more detailed information on how to use the app.

You’ll find a comprehensive troubleshooting section on the MDHearing website, with videos and answers to frequently asked questions, whether you need help setting up your new hearing aids or run into issues with them. To get additional help, you can reach the company by phone or through online chat (on the right bottom corner of the web page) Monday through Friday from 7 a.m. to 6 p.m. CT. Email support is available 24/7.

Warranty and Trial

The company provides a one-year warranty covering defects in materials and workmanship from the time you receive your order. When you purchase a pair of VOLT MAX hearing aids, you’ll get the VIP Care package that has an extended two-year warranty.

If the device malfunctions during the warranty period, you need to provide your return merchandise authorization (RMA) code and return it to the company for inspection. If a representative determines the failure is due to faulty materials or workmanship, MDHearing will repair or replace the hearing aid for free.

If you want a longer warranty and protection against accidental damage, you can purchase the MDShield Protection Plan for a separate fee, which ranges from $3.99 to $14.99, depending on the model. The protection plan covers defects and malfunctions not related to materials or workmanship, as well as accidental damage. It doesn’t cover the replacement of a lost device.

It’s important to consider the warranty’s length and what it covers before purchasing hearing aids. Our survey results showed that 68 percent of customers needed to have their hearing aids repaired during the warranty period.

MDHearing also offers a 45-day trial period. You can return your hearing aids for any reason during that time and receive a 100 percent refund. The company encourages customers to wear the devices for a full 21 days to get acclimated to them before seeking a return, but this isn’t a requirement to get a refund.

Our reviews team considered the latest research on hearing loss and hearing aid technology, interviewed experts in the field, combed through customer reviews on third-party websites, and conducted a survey of more than 600 hearing aid users to determine the top brands.

After narrowing down our selections, we consulted with an audiologist who medically reviewed each brand and model. We determined our top picks based on the following criteria:

• Special features
• User experience
• Cost
• Customer service
• Reputation and credibility

While MDHearing hearing aids are considered to be some of the more affordable hearing devices on the market, this doesn’t mean they lack the hearing aid technology and features users say they want most in our reviews team’s survey of hearing aid customers.

Also, self-fitting hearing aids from MDHearing are FDA cleared, meaning they are “substantially equivalent” to competitors in terms of safety, efficacy, and quality. One setback is that the standard warranty for MDHearing hearing aids is not as comprehensive as some other brands.

Another setback we found is that MDHearing hearing aids are known to have issues controlling feedback and whistling. Our reviews team does like that customers have the option of purchasing a fuller warranty.